Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Interview with the Christine from the WanderingSaint

Christian Elite Teams hope is to be able to interview and a little exposure to our fellow on-line artist /shopkeepers by supporting others that are creating unique handmade items and also bringing back to life Vintage items that add more beauty to our world.

My first etsy artist/shopkeeper interview with the very wonderful Christine Hartman from the WanderingSaint on Etsy. Christine is also a leader a on Christian Elite Team, and does a wonderful job helping and supporting our team mates!

How has your experience been on Etsy? My experience on Etsy has been pretty wonderful. For the first month I sold nothing, then exactly one month to the day I started selling!

What has been your most exciting moment as an artist here on
Etsy? My most exciting moment as an artist came when I sold the pair of up-cycled earrings I designed and created out of a metal strainer! Not my most expensive item by far, but the first sold item that I designed and created.

Do you have any advice for new Etsy shop owners?Advice? Be patient. Believe in yourself and your Higher Power. Mine is the Creator of the Universe. DO NOT get caught up in the "drama" of etsy this and etsy that on all the other team sites, you will make yourself crazy.Promote free outside as much as you can. wanelo, pinterest, I personally don't do facebook, but maybe it could work for others.

How long have you been an artist? My mother taught me sewing, crocheting and crafts by the time I was 8. She died when I was 11, and I have used art as a way to stay connected.

Who or what had the greatest influence on you as you
developed as an artist? My inspiration comes from everything, I guess. I like all kinds of eclectic stuff, and I have the mantra "I can make something out of this". Plus, I have never been well-off financially, and have had to "make do" with leftovers or hand me downs. I am a Believer+Bohemian=Artist. I love the eclectic and the traditional. Jewelry, Christmas, Crafts, whatever.

How would you characterize your work? I would characterize my work as Bohemian, Creative, Eclectic

How do you feel when
people interpret your artwork differently? It's okay when people interpret differently, it gives me another look into it.

What’s the hardest part of being an artist?The hardest part sometimes is not having the vision I need at the moment. Not having the financial means to carry through everything I envision.

How many hours a day do you create? I create between 2-4 hours a day.

How does creating art make you feel?I feel satisfied when I finish a project, especially one that I know I am the only one to do (strainer earrings).

“What is Art?” is certainly too big of a question to ask
here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What
statement do you hope to make? I hope people take away the knowledge that Art in America , traditional Art, Folk Art, is alive and well.

What are your artistic goals? My artistic goals are to create more, to design and create items, and signature pieces. I eventually want my own blog or something. But I just learned Pinterest and wanelo so it may take a minute!

How have you handled the business side of being an artist?Hmmm. By the business side, you mean all these papers and lists, and stacks of stuff? I haven't lost anything, but I one of my September goals is to get more organized. I will not have a successful business if I don't.

Where else on the internet can we find your work besides
Etsy?I am on Pinterest under Christine Hartman, and wanelo under Wandering Saint. Christine, thank you so much for this lovely interview and for being such an inspiring leader on our team!